Les Hassel Excursions

Meet Your Green Guide - Lesley Cox
By Chester Butler

When I first moved to Franklin County Florida, I did the rounds of the local offices of the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Wildlife Commission offices. The staff of these organizations were helpful. I kept getting this question, “Do you know Lesley Cox?” usually followed by something like this, “If you don’t, you need to meet her. She k

nows about as much about paddling and hiking in Tate’s Hell as anyone.” That is a quite a recommendation, especially when it comes from people who work in Tate’s Hell every day. Well, I finally did get to meet Lesley. Now, not only is she a friend, but she is also quite a guide. And if you want to see the backcountry of Florida with “less hassle”, you’ll want to meet her, too. Lesley is diminutive in stature, but don’t let that fool you. She is an expert outdoors woman. Quick to smile, Lesley has a passion for the wild that she happily shares with her guests. If you hike with Lesley you’ll get a close-up experience with Florida’s pine scrub habitat and a chance to see bald eagles, Florida black bears and maybe the rare red-cockaded woodpecker. If you are not up for a hike but still want to see the backcountry. Lesley guides a four-hour driving excursion through Florida’s Wildflower Corridor and into the swamps of Tate’s Hell. It’s a great way to see the back country. Tate’s Hell is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals. Lesley has a passion for wildflowers and carnivorous plants and she knows where to find them. Imagine a bog with 4 or 5 species of carnivorous plants! They exist, but most people never get a chance to see them. On this trip, you’ll get your chance. Lesley will guide you there. So, bring your camera! Another highlight of this trip is the Dwarf Cypress Forest. Many of these small trees are 300 years old. Plus, you can enjoy the forest from an aerial boardwalk. Cameras are a must here, too. Along your drive or on one of the many stops, you may see deer, bobcat, bear, wild turkey and maybe an alligator. This is wild Florida and you never know what wildlife will show up. But you can be sure that your trip to Tate’s Hell with Lesley will be a memorable adventure. Don’t hesitate, makes plans to join meet Lesley today. Join her on trip into Tate’s Hell. Lesley is a Certified Florida Green Guide, a University of Florida Master Naturalist and a Florida Master Wildlife Conservationist. She’s an expert guide and takes pride in her stewardship of Florida’s wild places. You can book a trip with Lesley by email, [email protected] or better yet, just give her a call at 239-404-4137. This vacation, take home memories and pictures from Florida’s wild side! Explore Florida's Forgotten Coast of the Panhandle Big Bend region. Experience Florida's rich biodiversity at a leisurely pace. Walk for half a day, hike all day, or plan to camp over night.